KenC5

HI my name is Ken. I am 22. I just bought my first vette. A 97 C5 6 speed. I love the car. I have been searching this site looking for some help on getting a little extra power out of it with simple bolt ons.

I just cant seem to find out whats good to use, and whats not. there is so much mis information and useful information. I cant tell it apart.

I am looking at TB, intakes, and thinking about just picking up the Z06 exhuast. I like the way it sounds and it wont cost me an arm and a leg.

Thank you for your help. I am sure I will be on this site alot now. lol So I got to learn everything I can.

jbusmc1986

iTrader: (1)

Give me a budget and a goal... And I will set you up on the right course!!

KenC5

Well.. Lets say around 2k for parts. I love the sound of the Z06 exhuast on the C5 so I am thinking about going that route for that.

But I am not sure about, Intakes, TB, etc. just simple bolt ons you know.

Ackattack1

iTrader: (7)

I just got a 99 FRC so I'm in a similar boat as far as needing some mods.

The first thing i'm going to do is get some different wheels. I don't like the wagon wheels. I'm going with chrome C6 Z06 in stock C5 sizes. Plus, the tires on it are pretty much gone anyways.

I'm going to do exhaust. I can't get over the price for the vette exhaust, so I'm going to make my own custom catback.

Then I'm going to go with the Vararam intake system.

Finally I'm going to get some headers off of ebay ($299 for SS).

Then I'll think about some other upgrades (clutch, rearend brace, output shafts, etc)

An intake manifold will get you a little. I really don't think a throttle body will get you anything worth the money it will cost. Hope this gives you a little direction.

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

longtube headers, catback exhaust, and airbox intake (like the Vararam, etc..) will be your best bolt-ons. Intake manifold itself isn't worth anything until you start making over 400 at the wheels. At that time, slap an LS6 intake manifold on the engine, which came stock in all 01-04 Corvettes. T-bodies aren't worth much until around 400 rwhp also.

Tony

nc z28

lg or ar headers
vararam or halltech intake
pulley
catback of your choice ( cant go wrong w/ borla, b&b, corsa, or ghl)
ls6 intake (you can find used ones cheap)

KenC5

Awesome info guys. What could I be looking to gain form lets sat the Vararam intake, headers, and a cat back. like realistic numbers at the wheels?

nc z28

being a 97 id say around 360-370rwhp w/ a tune and 350-355 w/o a tune. honestly, before you spend the money on a tune id consider heads, cam, ported tb and ls6 or ported fast intake.

PA Z06

I agree with Tony thats a good plan of attack

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

I'd do:

Stage (1)
LG long tubes, X pipe
Z06 stock ti catback
Vararam or other airbox
PCM - remove tq management, turn 2nd fan on sooner, remove cags

Stage (2)
Ported OEM TB
LS6 intake

I am going to do a ported OEM TB around when I do an airbox, I'm sure the TB will be worth maybe 5-7rwhp with my engine since it has the Z06 cam in there.

KenC5

Wow I would love to see 370whp from bolt ons and a good tune.

BudgetPlan1

Not likely; 2004 C5 A4 w/ LG Pros w/ cats, Blackwing and dynotune = 346rwhp, 365tq

nc z28

yes, its likely w/ ls6 intake,cia, pulley, headers, catback,m6, and a good tune.

marlowchris

LG headers+no cats+ Vararam+Tune on 6speed coupe= about 350 rwhp.

A pulley is too much trouble unless you are changing the cam at the same time. Minimal gains with the cat back, save your money. Do your research, good luck weeding through all the bad advice.

KenC5

Thats why I am asking you guys rather than just looking at the LS1 post. they seem to be full of a lot of bull. lol Hey I can live with 350whp, that should be good for 12s I would think.

Can anyone tell me the REAL stock hp and numbers for a 97 C5. I have found like 4 differnt answers, Like on HP, TQ, an 1/4 times. Thank you

ls1 jeff

iTrader: (2)

370 rwhp might be possible with all bolt-ons...including a pulley. Thats with a tune of course.

My 00 FRC makes 357/359 with Vararam, shaner s2 TB, ls6 manifold, FLP longtubes/offroads/x-pipe, corsa catback, and a speed inc dyno tune.

I think with a pulley Id be really close to 370 rwhp.

My recipe for you would be vararam, longtubes, and a nitrous kit. That will get you over 400 rwhp.

Good luck in your search for more power.

KenC5

I see you in Bartlett Jeff. I am in Bolingbrook. Maybe we can meet up sometime, I would love to see your car. See how it feels over stock. Give me something to look forward to. lol

I dont want to use the spray anymore. I was a junkie with my last car!

Like I said I want to stick with the bolt ons cause this is my daliy driver, and i need it to be reliable. I am not trying to make a drag car out of it, just looking to get some extra ponys out of her

ls1 jeff

iTrader: (2)

An HVAC tech with a C5 as a daily driver? Where do you fit all your tools?

If you dont want to do nitrous then I would start with the Vararam and some longtubes. I think Texas Speed has some affordable headers for the C5's. A catback would be nice, but its more for looks and sound. Might have some money left over for some wheels!

Send me a pm if ya want to meet up sometime. Theres a bunch of guys with vettes that meet up in the area regularly.

KenC5

Yea, I got my work van aswell. lol

Yea I am going to look into buying the Vararam intake first, then the Z06 cat back, I like the sound. Then down the road some headers and a tune.

I am down for meeting people in the area.

SVT BAIT

iTrader: (1)

Hey ken I also have a 97 c5 just ordered LG longtube headers xpipe and FAST intake manifold ill tell u my numbers when it gets installed I think I'm getting a tune as well.....I already have a ,magnaflow exhuast system but I wanna sell it I want borla